The trouble started after what appeared to be a routine complaint about a noisy party in a suburban neighbourhood. The officers backed away when confronted by a large crowd of drunken 16 and 17-year-olds.

Best party ever, that's what everyone's saying

Corey Delaney

Glass bottles and other missiles were thrown at police cars and nearby houses and gardens were vandalised before at least 30 officers, a helicopter and the police dog squad arrived to try to restore calm.

An estimated A$20,000 ($18,000; £9,200) worth of damage was done but no arrests were made.

Victoria state Police Commissioner Christine Nixon said the teenager who threw the party, 16-year-old Corey Delaney, may hold ultimate responsibility.

"He needs to learn a lesson, and one way or another we will be making sure that happens," she told a news conference.

Consequences

The BBC's Phil Mercer in Sydney says the teenage host said he hoped his mum and dad would not find out what had happened.

But they have. His mother Jo, on her way home from Queensland, told the Seven Network: "We're a good family. I'm just devastated and horrified that this has actually occurred.

"Obviously he's very scared of the consequences that we're going to bring upon him."

Corey Delaney is reported to have advertised his party on the internet and by text messages and it attracted a number of strangers. He told local media his invited guests had no part in the melee.

But when asked what advice he had for other teenagers planning a home alone party, he appeared unrepentant and told the Nine Network: "Get me to do it for you.